Concrete pump assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a concrete pump assembly with at least two feed cylinders for conveying concrete, and at least two hydraulic drive cylinders moving the feed cylinders, wherein the drive cylinders are coupled to one another in a torsion-resistant manner via at least one connecting means. According to the invention, the drive cylinders and the at least one connecting means, in which the at least one valve is configured in an integrated manner, are formed as a drive unit that can be pre-assembled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a concrete pump assembly with at least two feed cylinders for conveying concrete and at least two hydraulic drive cylinders moving the feed cylinders, wherein the drive cylinders are coupled to one another in a torsion-resistant manner via at least one connecting means.

Concrete pump assemblies for pumping liquid concrete are employed in truck-mounted concrete pumps or stationary concrete pumps, for example. Known concrete pump assemblies include two feed cylinders, for example, which alternately can suck in and convey concrete. Each feed cylinder here is moved by a hydraulic drive cylinder. The hydraulic components necessary for this, such as tubes, hoses, and/or valves are, as a rule, accommodated separately and do not take on any supporting function. An exception thereto is the so-called swing oil plate, which connects both cylinders at the base side and makes an oil flow between the two cylinders possible.

The parts of the drive of a concrete pump assembly here do not form a unit so far. All parts are mounted individually and sequentially, wherein a pre-assembly is only possible to a limited extent. In addition, primarily, in particular flexible hoses are used to connect the individual connection points of the drive cylinders and of the associated hydraulic switching members and/or line members.

Such hoses are subject to ageing in the process of use of the concrete pump assembly and can inadvertently move under alternating pressure loading. The lifespan of the hoses can hereby be negatively influenced. The changes in load in particular harbor the danger of leakages in the hose connections. In addition, the extensibility of hydraulic hoses reduces the desired quick reaction time of the overall system. The high demand on construction space for the many individual parts of the drive has a disadvantageous effect in the cramped conditions of a mobile truck-mounted concrete pump. The plurality of individual components to be provided for due to the functional separation additionally leads to a higher weight of the concrete pump assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, it is the object of the invention to provide an improved concrete pump assembly, which is more compact, lighter and more reliable than is known from the prior art.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a concrete pump assembly with the features herein. Advantageous embodiments are specified herein.

The concrete pump assembly includes at least two feed cylinders for conveying concrete and at least two hydraulic drive cylinders moving the feed cylinders. The drive cylinders are connected to form a drive unit, via a connecting means in the form of a control board with integrated valve technology. A compact and torsion-resistant assembly unit is hereby formed. Advantageously, the drive cylinders can also be connected in a rod-sided manner with a further connecting means in the form of a plate. The rod-sided plate here takes on the function of a swing line.

Advantageously, the hydraulic elements necessary to drive the concrete pump assembly can, according to the invention, be designed so that they can serve at the top and/or base side as connecting means for the two or more drive cylinders. Here, the valve blocks or one valve block can be provided on an end or on both ends of the cylinders or of the drive cylinders, in or on which at least the switching members of the respective cylinder are located. Of course, the valve block can alternatively or additionally be arranged in a middle region of the drive cylinder.

The drive cylinders hereby form a firm unit that can be pre-assembled. The hosing required according to the prior art between the top- and base-side or between the corresponding sides of the drive cylinders can at least partially or entirely be replaced by a fixed tubing. Here, the tubing is largely integrated into the blocks. A fixed tubing is provided between the plates. Furthermore, further functions can be arranged or integrated in a space-saving manner in or on the connecting means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is conceivable that the drive cylinders are connected to one another in a torsion-resistant manner via at least two connecting means. The two connecting means can here be connecting means separated from one another and/or fabricated in a multi-part manner, which means can be provided on different sections of the drive cylinders. The connecting means can substantially consist of the valve block or of the walls thereof. Each of the connecting means can be configured integrated with own valve blocks.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that the at least one connecting means indirectly or directly couples the drive cylinders. It can thus be provided that the drive cylinders rest directly on a component, in which the valve blocks are integrated and which produces an otherwise direct connection between two or more drive cylinders. The connecting means into which the valve blocks are integrated can here be fabricated in one piece.

In a further preferred embodiment, switches for regulating/controlling the hydraulic supply of the drive cylinders can be provided on and/or in the at least one valve block. The switch members here can be the at least one aforementioned valve block or include said block and/or additional components can be concerned here, which, for example, can also include connections to the valve blocks and/or mechanical and/or electronic switching components.

In a further preferred embodiment, no hosing can be provided between the top and/or base sides of the drive cylinders. Put another way, the hosing known according to the prior art can, between the drive cylinders, at least substantially completely be replaced by the at least one integrated valve block or the supply and/or discharge lines to the at least one valve block.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that at least one hydraulic auxiliary function is provided in and/or on the connecting means.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that in and/or on the connecting means, at least one sensor, for example a displacement sensor, is provided for piston detection.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that in and/or on the connecting means, at least one switch and/or one valve is provided for emergency activation.

In a further preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the at least two connecting means are connected to one another via at least one connecting line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details and advantages of the invention are described based on the embodiments exemplarily shown in the figures. Shown here are:

FIG. 1: the drive unit of a concrete pump assembly including a water tank in a plan view;

FIG. 2: the drive unit according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view, and

FIG. 3: a side illustration of the left vehicle side of the truck-mounted concrete pump.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a view of a drive unit according to the invention of a concrete pump assembly 1 on a truck-mounted concrete pump not shown in further detail. The concrete pump assembly 1 serves to drive at least two feed cylinders not further shown, by means of which liquid concrete can be conveyed. The drive unit includes at least two hydraulic drive cylinders 3 moving the feed cylinders not illustrated here.

The drive cylinders 3 are coupled to one another in a torsion-resistant manner via at least one connecting means 4, 4′. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively two connecting means 4, 4′ are provided on opposite ends of the drive cylinders 3. The connecting means 4, 4′ are configured integrated with at least one valve block 5, 5′. This can mean that the connecting means 4, 4′ and the valve blocks 5, 5′ include at least one common component and/or are arranged in at least one common housing and/or include at least one common housing part. The valve blocks 5, 5′ and the connecting means 4, 4′ here can include at least one common and in particular one-piece-fabricated component each.

The drive cylinders 3 can be coupled directly or indirectly by means of the connecting means 4, 4′. For example, it is conceivable that the drive cylinders 3 are coupled indirectly with the connecting means via a flange.

Switches for regulating/controlling the hydraulic supply of the drive cylinders 3 can be provided in and/or on the valve blocks 5, 5′ or the connecting means 4, 4′. Other hydraulic components can also be configured integrated with the connecting means 4, 4′.

The connecting means 4, 4′ can include a connecting plate with four logic valves for the actuation of the drive cylinders 3. Furthermore, pressure limiting valves and/or shock valves can be integrated, for the semi-closed circuit, with the connecting means 4, 4′.

Alternatively or additionally, the connecting means 4, 4′ can include a connecting plate with directional control valves for a pivot cylinder and/or at least one valve for leakage compensation.

The connecting means 4, 4′ can further include at least one connection and/or at least one preparation or a connection for a displacement sensor and/or a pressure sensor.

As can be seen in both figures, no additional hosing is provided between the top and the base sides of the two drive cylinders. However, at least one connecting line P, T can be provided between the two connecting means 4, 4′, via which the top or base side of the drive cylinders 3 is connectable to the pump or to the tank. The connecting line P, T can in particular be arranged parallel to the drive cylinders 3 and/or run separately from these cylinders.

The drive unit of the concrete pump assembly 1 can thus be configured as a unit that can be pre-assembled, in which no flexible hoses have to be used, and which can be assembled and disassembled more simply than known concrete pump assemblies.

The concrete pump assembly 1 according to the invention can be used in a truck-mounted concrete pump, for example. Such a truck-mounted concrete pump is known per se and is shown here is a side illustration in FIG. 3. The mast pedestal of the truck-mounted concrete pump, on which the foldable distributing mast 102 is arranged, is referenced with the reference character 101. The distributing mast 102 consists of the mast arms 103, which are pivotable relative to one another and thus serve to unfold the distributing mast 102. In this illustration of the truck-mounted concrete pump, the built-in concrete pump assembly according to the invention is covered. 

1. Concrete pump assembly (1), preferably for a truck-mounted concrete pump, with at least two feed cylinders for conveying concrete and at least two hydraulic drive cylinders (3) moving the feed cylinders, wherein the drive cylinders (3) are coupled to one another in a torsion resistant manner via at least one connecting means (4, 4′), and the drive cylinders (3) at the at least one connecting means (4, 4′), in which at least one valve block (5, 5′) is configured in an integrated manner, are formed as a drive unit that can be pre-assembled.
 2. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein the drive cylinders (3) are coupled to one another via at least two connecting means (4, 4′).
 3. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting means (4, 4′) directly or indirectly couples the drive cylinders (3).
 4. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein switching members for regulating/controlling the hydraulic supply of the drive cylinders (3) are provided on and/or in the at least one valve block (5, 5′).
 5. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein no tubing is provided between the top and/or base side of the drive cylinders (3).
 6. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein at least one hydraulic auxiliary function is provided in and/or on the connecting means (4, 4′).
 7. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein at least one displacement sensor is provided in and/or on the connecting means (4, 4′).
 8. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein at least one switch or valve for an emergency activation is provided in and/or on the connecting means (4, 4′).
 9. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein at least two connecting means (4, 4′) are provided, which are connected with one another via at least one connecting line (P, T), and the connecting line (P, T) is arranged in particular parallel to the drive cylinders (3).
 10. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 2, wherein the at least one connecting means (4, 4′) directly or indirectly couples the drive cylinders (3).
 11. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 10, wherein switching members for regulating/controlling the hydraulic supply of the drive cylinders (3) are provided on and/or in the at least one valve block (5, 5′).
 12. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 3, wherein switching members for regulating/controlling the hydraulic supply of the drive cylinders (3) are provided on and/or in the at least one valve block (5, 5′).
 13. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 2, wherein switching members for regulating/controlling the hydraulic supply of the drive cylinders (3) are provided on and/or in the at least one valve block (5, 5′).
 14. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 13, wherein no tubing is provided between the top and/or base side of the drive cylinders (3).
 15. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 12, wherein no tubing is provided between the top and/or base side of the drive cylinders (3).
 16. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 11, wherein no tubing is provided between the top and/or base side of the drive cylinders (3).
 17. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 10, wherein no tubing is provided between the top and/or base side of the drive cylinders (3).
 18. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 4, wherein no tubing is provided between the top and/or base side of the drive cylinders (3).
 19. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 3, wherein no tubing is provided between the top and/or base side of the drive cylinders (3).
 20. Truck-mounted concrete pump according to claim 2, wherein no tubing is provided between the top and/or base side of the drive cylinders (3). 